Independent family brewers, Palmers, have launched their Dorset Gold ale in 500ml bottles. Dorset Gold is a refreshing and thirst-quenching golden premium ale (4.5% ABV), with full, fruity palate lightly hopped with Kent Goldings.

An upmarket new restaurant run by a big name celebrity chef is one of the ideas ‘on the table’ for The Three Cups site, reveal Palmers Brewery. Palmers have spent the last few months consulting with town and district councillors, planning officers to find a future for the site.

The Royal Oak in Charmouth has new landlords attracted by the family feel of Palmers Brewery. ‘We wanted to go into a family set-up because we’re a family set-up ourselves,’ said Richard Grundy, who previously served for 32 years as a policeman.

Seaside tradition was upturned when Palmers Brewery director Cleeves Palmer used beer – not champagne – to christen a Dorset rowing boat. Palmers’ Dorset Gold was used instead of the usual bottle of fizz to mark Palmers’ sponsorship of Bridport’s new Gig Rowing Club.

Ale lovers at The Ilchester Arms in Symondsbury were delighted to win 72 pints of Palmers Best Bitter. Bridport-based Palmers held a contest in support of National Cask Ale Week to see which of their pubs could sign up the most visitors for a brewery tour. The winning pub won a firkin of Best Bitter.

Palmers Brewery of Bridport is celebrating winning a bronze award for Tally Ho! in the Strong Bitters class at the SIBA South West Region Beer Competition 2010. The event was held at Tuckers Maltings, Newton Abbot, where 74 South West brewers entered 344 cask ales.